PERIOD FROM 1836 TO 1854. 513 



The most potent consequences are involved in this matter. Our 

 fisheries have been the very nurseries of our navy. If our flag-ships 

 have met and conquered the enemy on the sea, the fisheries are at the 

 bottom of it. The fisheries were the seeds from which these glorious 

 triumphs were born and sprung. 



Now, gentlemen, I may venture to say one or two things more on 

 this highly-important subject. In the first place, this sudden inter- 

 ruption of the pursuits of our citizens, which had been carried on 

 more than thirty years without interruption or molestation, can 

 hardly be justified by any principle or consideration whatever. It 

 is now more than thirty years that they have pursued the fisheries 

 in the same waters, and on the same coast, in which, and along which, 

 notice has now come that they shall be no longer allowed these priv- 

 ileges. Now, this cannot be justified without notice. A mere indul- 

 gence of so long continuance, even if the privilege were but an indul- 

 gence, cannot be withdrawn at this season of the year, when our 

 people, according to the custom, have engaged in the business, with- 

 out just and seasonable notice. 



I cannot but think the late despatches from the Colonial Office 

 had not attracted to a sufficient degree the attention of the principal 

 minister of the Crown, for I see matter in them quite inconsistent 

 with the arrangement made in 1845 by the Earl of Aberdeen and 

 Edward Everett. Then the Earl of Derby, the present First Min- 

 ister, was Colonial Secretary. It could not well have taken place 

 without his knowledge, and, in fact, without his concurrence and 

 sanction. I cannot but think, therefore, that its being overlooked 

 is an inadvertence. The Treaty of 1818 was made with the Crown 

 of England. If a fishing- vessel is captured by one of her vessels- 

 of-war, and brought in for adjudication, the Crown of England is 

 answerable, and then we know whom we have to deal with. But it 

 is not to be expected that the United States will submit their rights 

 to be adjudicated upon in the petty tribunals of the provinces, or that 

 they will allow our vessels to be seized by constables or other petty 

 officers, and condemned by the municipal courts of Canada and New- 

 foundland. New Brunswick, or Nova Scotia! No, no, no! Farther 

 than this, gentlemen, I do not think it expedient to remark upon this 

 topic at present; hut. you may be assured, it is a subject upon which 

 no one sleeps at Washington. I regret that the state of my health 

 causes my absence from Wi shington when the news came of this sud- 

 den change in the inter| retation of the treaties. My health requires 

 relaxation. I shall fed it my duty, as soon as my health and strength 

 will justify me in undertaking the journey, to return to my post, 

 and discharge the duties devolving upon me to the best of my 

 abilities. 



Consul Nor/on to Mr. Webah r. 



United States Consulate, 

 Pictou, Nova Scotia^ July .:!>th. U 

 Rut : At this moment, there ia much excitemenl in this quarter, on 

 the subject of the Fiaheries; and a large British Naval Force is now 

 on the coasl of Newfoundland and in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, de- 



